03. Haunted

This is the 9th track from Ch'Lu's forthcoming album "The Goddess Within", due out June 9th, for Global Wellness Day. This album was made possible with generous grants from the Arts Council of England, Help Musicians UK and the Oppenheim John Downes Memorial Trust.

This track is the experience of the first sound in the word “Om” – “A” - which represents the conscious waking state. It is also first sound in the Sanskrit alphabet and therefore the first sound in existence.

Composed, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Ch'Lu in her home studio, "The Goddess Within" album is a fusion of binaural field-recordings, hypnotic Sanskrit vocals, classical guitar arpeggiation and electronic soundscapes. It is using the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Mandukya Upanishads, which create the experience and journey of "Om". It is the ultimate Sound Medicine.

Sanskrit Lyrics and Translation:

jāgarita-sthāno vaiśvānaro’kāraḥ prathamā 
mātrā’pter ādimattvād vā’pnoti ha vai 
sarvān kāmān ādiś ca bhavati ya evaṁ veda 

The Sound “A” is Waking / Gross: Vaishvanara is the 
consciousness experienced during the waking state, and is A, the first letter of Om. That simple sound of A is first and 
permeates all other sounds. One who is aware of this first 
level of reality has fulfillment of all longings and is successful. 

A polyglot polymath, Ch’Lu has been studying Sanskrit for the last thirteen years, alongside her teaching and practice of Vedic meditation, which fuels her drive to expand consciousness through creativity and performance. As a classical guitarist, singer, actress, linguist (13 languages) and martial artist, her creative vision is to fuse the ancient with the voice of the Zeitgeist, throwing in a contemporary edge, humour and the element of surprise. 

Here's a link to the music video of an earlier version of the opening track - Aum:

https://youtu.be/OuQh8NDY6lo

Credits:

Single Cover –  photo by Steve Ullathorne
Album Mastering – Jessica Thompson

Composed, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Ch'Lu

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to my Mum for giving me a space to create my home studio. Immense gratitude to Hari also, for his guidance and encouragement over the years as friend, Jyotish expert and mentor. Thank you to Garuda for the introduction to the Mandukya Upanishads and my first steps into deeper Sanskrit study. Thank you Isobel Anderson for developing my self-recording, mixing and producing skills and confidence, especially introducing me to binaural field recording. And again thank you to both the Arts Council of England, Help Musicians UK and the Oppenheim John Downes Memorial Trust for your generous grants to finance vital elements of this album.

The Goddess Within

The Sound of Waking

Download/Buy

This is the 4th track from Ch'Lu's Arts Council & Help Musicians funded album "The Goddess Within", due out with the album on June 9th, for Global Wellness Day. 

Composed, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Ch'Lu in her home studio, "The Goddess Within" album is a fusion of binaural field-recordings, hypnotic Sanskrit vocals, classical guitar arpeggiation and electronic soundscapes. 

Using the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Mandukya Upanishads, which create the experience and journey of "Om", it is the ultimate Sound Medicine. 

“Dreaming” is the experience of the second conscious state, where consciousness is turned towards the inner world.

A polyglot polymath, Ch’Lu has been studying Sanskrit for the last thirteen years, alongside her teaching and practice of Vedic meditation, which fuels her drive to expand consciousness through creativity and performance. As a classical guitarist, singer, actress, linguist (13 languages) and martial artist, her creative vision is to fuse the ancient with the voice of the Zeitgeist, throwing in a contemporary edge, humour and the element of surprise. 

Here's a link to the music video of an earlier version of the opening track - Aum:

https://youtu.be/OuQh8NDY6lo

Lyrics:

svapna-sthāno’ntaḥ-prajñaḥ saptāṅga ekonavimśati-mukhaḥ 
pravivikta-bhuk taijaso dvītiyaḥ pādah. 

Second is Dreaming / Subtle: 
The second aspect of Atman is the Self in the Dreaming state, Taijasa. In this second state, consciousness is turned towards the inner world. It also 
operates through seven instruments and nineteen channels, 
which engage the subtle objects of the mental realm. 


Credits:

Single Cover –  photo by Steve Ullathorne
Album Mastering – Jessica Thompson

Original Classical Guitar, Vocal Harmonies, Binaural Field Recordings, Electronic Soundscape and Beats with Sanskrit words from The Mandukya Upanishads

Composed, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Ch'Lu

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to my Mum for giving me a space to create my home studio. Immense gratitude to Hari also, for his guidance and encouragement over the years as friend, Jyotish expert and mentor. Thank you to Garuda for the introduction to the Mandukya Upanishads and my first steps into deeper Sanskrit study. Thank you Isobel Anderson for developing my self-recording, mixing and producing skills and confidence, especially introducing me to binaural field recording. And again thank you to both the Arts Council of England, Help Musicians UK and the Oppenheim John Downes Memorial Trust for your generous grants to finance vital elements of this album.

Dreaming

Douga release the free download of 'Blue Is Nothing', taken from their forthcoming album The Silent Well, via Do Make Merge Records. 

The album evokes a sense of much-needed stillness and introspection amidst a world set at full speed and volume. 'Blue Is Nothing' highlights why Douga have already been picked up by BBC Radio 6 with the likes of Gideon Coe and Tom Ravenscroft giving previous download 'Kids of Tomorrow' a spin.

Named after a childhood nickname given by his parents to founder, frontman, and former Plank! drummer Johnny Winbolt-Lewis, Douga have grown from wide-eyed, exploratory experimentalists to a BBC 6 featured artist , and now they’ve created a record gripped with a gentle but firm sense of cohesion and clarity. With a studio line-up of Winbolt-Lewis (vocals/guitar/drums,) John Waddington (keyboards/bass) and guest violinist/guitarist DBH - plus additional guitar and engineering work from Raul Careno – the group have built The Silent Well on the foundations of Winbolt-Lewis’ love of kosmische music, through rhythmic repetition and psychedelic drones. 

Some of the childhood wonder of Johnny’s initial fascination with music is contained in this release; in the past he’s likened the joy derived from creative expression to losing himself in his imagination as a child, while he recalls “playing with pots and pans and hitting my parents’ piano with a recorder and chipping the ivory keys” as a youngster. So it is on The Silent Well that his wide-eyed sense of the simple enjoyment of creating noise pervades, with sweetly-delivered pop hooks and melodies carefully included so as to pull songs away from their more deep-seated, eyebrow-furrowed backdrops.

Apart from the vocals, recorded at 80 Hertz studio with George Atkins, the bulk of the record was recorded at BlueSCI – a service and space set up in Trafford, Manchester, for people who suffer from psychological and emotional distress. Winbolt-Lewis volunteers there and as such many of the sensitivities of those he comes into contact with have indirectly rubbed off on the record’s own reflective, deeply thoughtful resonance. 

Citing artists like Broadcast, Yo La Tengo and Grizzly Bear as influences due to their use of more leftfield textures set against orthodox melodies, there is something about Douga’s music that perfects a sound that can only be identified as their own, albeit inspired by disparate influences picked up along their journey. 

So consume Douga’s music and make some time for it amongst frenetic reality – it’s the very least it deserves.

The Silent Well is released on 19th May 2014 via Do Make Merge Records.

http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/douga

Douga - Blue is Nothing

It’s the wonder-drug on everyone’s tongues right now …

On 16 June, London-based mummycore kitchenpunk band I, Doris release their latest single, 'HRT' – a ridiculously catchy poppy-post-punk banger with a powerful message about gynecological healthcare. It comes with a superfun accompanying music video, during the filming of which two Dorisses got themselves thrown out of Brixton’s TK Maxx store. (They regret nothing.)

'HRT' marks the gold standard of I, Doris’ hallmark biting humour and feminist commentary. With its driving bassline, catchy keytar bop and enormous guitar riffs, the song speaks to the frustrations and challenges of navigating the healthcare system, particularly when it comes to access to hormone replacement therapy.

"So many people with wombs face an uphill battle in obtaining the healthcare they need. 'HRT' is about the struggle to be taken seriously and the fight to access the care we need to live our lives on our own terms. Also, it’s a disco banger. Now, what was I just saying?"

Despite the serious subject matter, 'HRT' is full of punk rock fun and humour, with playful lyrics and an instant singalong chorus. The accompanying music video, directed by talented filmmaker Minni Moody, features a cast of hormone replacement therapy users of all genders, who come together to create a powerful visual representation of the song's themes of resilience and rebellion.

Parts of the video were filmed guerrilla style in TK Maxx in Brixton, with band members Doris and Doris captured being removed from the store, adding to the rebellious spirit of the song. The video also sees the band (a six-Doris lineup) recording the song in Brixton Hill Studios, with their producer Stephen Gilchrist also being roped in to play the part of “The Doctor”.

I, Doris formed in 2017 and consists of a large collective, all known on stage by the moniker Doris, including vocalist/bassist Cassie Fox (who is also the founder of the LOUD WOMEN organisation), Vic Workman, Charlotte Burke, Abby Weth, Lucy Morgan and Kate Wozza. The band's hilarious but unapologetically feminist lyrics and high-entertainment live performances have earned them a loyal following and critical acclaim.

Live dates:
27 May – Bearded Theory festival
24 June – HRT single launch gig at The Windmill, Brixton (with Les Futiles + The Untitled Band Project + The Menopause Army + more)
4 August – Rebellion Festival (Opera stage)
5 August – Brighton Pride (Queertown stage)
16 Sept – LOUD WOMEN Fest, Rich Mix

Lyrics for HRT 
 
I’m having panic attacks in TK Maxx
In between the irons and the laundry racks
Sweating like a turkey on Christmas Eve
But my boss says no way to sick leave
I have needs
(Now where'd I put my keys?)
 
These procrastinations give me palpitations
My oestrogen receptors having aggravations
Sweating like Theresa in a field of wheat
Trouble from my loaf to my plates of meat
I have needs
(Now where'd I put my keys?)
 
Disco dancing on my pelvic floor
What d’I come in this room for?
 
Doctor doctor what's wrong with me
I haven’t finished rocking at forty-three
Slap me on a patch cos I wanna par-tee
Just give me therapy and HRT
HRT
I have needs
HRT
I have needs
  
It should be unlawful to feel this awful
The factors causal, perimenopausal
sweating like a Doris without HRT
Sahara desert up my wizard's sleeve,
I have needs
(Now where'd I put my keys?)
 
Disco dancing on my pelvic floor
What d’I come in this room for?
 
Doctor doctor what's wrong with me
I haven’t finished rocking at fifty-three
Slap me on a patch cos I wanna par-tee
Just give me therapy and HRT
HRT
I have needs
HRT
I have needs
 
(Instrumental)
 
Disco dancing on my pelvic floor
What d’I come in this room for?
 
Doctor doctor what's wrong with me
I haven’t finished rocking at sixty-three
Slap me on a patch cos I wanna par-tee
Just give me therapy and HRT
HRT
I have needs
HRT
I have needs

Debut single by Twat Union to be released 29 Nov 2023

Give It Up

Welcome to YINYANG’s haunted haus of fun, where elements of hip hop, rap, electronic and alternative styles blend as if they’ve been waiting to synthesize. It’s dripping with cool and promises to prick your ears.

Kill Jester serves a murderous sonic cacophony about reincarnation and dropping dead weight in the form of inner demons. Sinister yet slick visuals dropping in 2 weeks, fierce yet positive message. “Don’t pursue it, if it’s not a fuck yes.”

Kill Jester - YINYANG

Cock of the fifth year is what we called the biggest jock types when I was in high school. Cocky, brash loud and overly confident. Puffed up, swaggering, mouthy bellends who can be pretty intimidating when you’re a woman just trying to get on with your day.

But it's not just in high school we encounter them, they're everywhere: the LinkedIn narcissist, the Tinder predator, and the (very scary) furious nice guy etc.

The phrase ‘lock up your sons’ will be contentious but we're not endorsing prison systems (far from it). The point is, the phrase’ lock up your daughters’ is relentless and women are always told to be careful, not wear headphones when walking at night, be wary of predators on the streets carry your keys between your knuckles as a weapon. Women are told they need to protect themselves by avoiding walking alone in the dark home from a night out, cosseted, hidden away safe from the threat of, let’s face it, male violence. On that logic, why not lock the blokes up at home for women's safety at night if they can’t be trusted to behave?

Imploding

Cock of the Fifth Year

Cock Of The Fifth Year (Radio Edit)

Fresh off the decks!! Tom Riley B2B Jam Hott - Live Recording from The Bell Bangers - Garage Fridays 23/02/24.

Tom Riley B2B Jam Hott // Garage Bangers @ The Bell - Bristol

'Simplify Life' EP Out Now
Listen Here: bfan.link/simplify-life-1

Heartbeat Is Missing

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For more information about what we do please check out our website.

Douga - Blue is Nothing

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